Six minutes of news from around the nation.

The 2026 Winder Olympics kick off with some injury drama; Ghislaine Maxwell invoked the fifth amendment and less than 40 percent of Wyoming workers have college degree. 

TRANSCRIPT

The Public News Service Daily Newscast, Tuesday, February 10th, 2026.

I'm Farah Siddiqui.

Lindsay Vaughn says the torn ACL she was skiing with had nothing to do with the crash that broke her leg at the Winter Olympics.

The 41-year-old champion says she'll need multiple surgeries but has no regrets about racing.

Ghislaine Maxwell declined to answer questions during a closed door congressional deposition invoking her Fifth Amendment rights.

The move drew criticism from lawmakers pressing to release more information from the Jeffrey Epstein investigation.

In the aftermath of a devastating ice storm, Mississippi families who lost power and food are receiving more than just replacement SNAP benefits.

Mark Jones with the Mississippi Department of Human Services explains the impact behind the policy.

They have one less thing to worry about.

They don't have to submit a form.

They may still be worrying about internet getting back up.

You can do everything that I'm talking about right from your phone.

But giving that time back to people to not have to worry about where they're going to go apply for replacement benefits.

The state secured federal waivers to automatically replace benefits for SNAP recipients in the 15 hardest-hit counties and extended the application deadline for 28 other affected counties until February 23rd.

Jones says the goal is to allow families to focus on recovery, not paperwork.

And as families recover from emergencies, advocates say understanding everyday costs, including health care, can also make a difference.

Pennsylvanians are being urged to take a closer look at their health insurance plans to make sure they're getting the most from their coverage.

Joanna Rosenheim with the Pennsylvania Health Access Network says the group's helpline fields thousands of calls each year from people trying to understand their options.

She notes that since Enhanced Affordable Care Act tax credits expired, the state marketplace Penny has seen a 30 percent increase in enrollment in bronze plans.

One free primary care visit, one free OB/GYN visit are available to people enrolled in Plans Through Penny.

People can also get screenings for certain diseases like diabetes or cancer if they're over a certain age or at high risk.

In 2024, just over 37 percent of Wyoming workers between 25 and 64 years old had a college degree or a professional certificate and earned more than their peers with a high school diploma.

Eric Galatas has more.

That's nearly six percentage points lower than the national average, according to Lumina Foundation's new A Stronger Nation report.

Courtney Brown with the foundation says the report is not just about numbers or charts, it's an opportunity for policy makers and educators to create pathways for people to get the education and skills they need to succeed.

When more people can access and succeed in earning credentials of value, communities benefit, the economy grows, and more people are on a path to a good job and a good life.

Wyoming ranks 46th among the 50 U.S. states, Washington, D.C., and Puerto Rico, for workers earning at least 15 percent above a high school graduate's median paycheck.

This is public news service.

More than 12,000 Alabama students have completed profiles through the Alabama Direct Admission Initiative.

As acceptance letters roll out in Alabama, admission counselors are giving tips on next steps for students.

Shantia Hudson reports.

So far, nearly 180,000 college admission offers have been sent statewide.

But now that acceptance letters are arriving, some students may be wondering what to do next.

Audrey Crawford with the University of Monte Valo works in admissions and says this is a critical time for students to take action.

It's really important as a part of their next step is making sure that they connect with the admissions counselor that's assigned to them. that's their best resource at each university.

Crawford says one of the first priorities should be completing the FAFSA.

She also encourages students to fill out any required supplemental scholarship applications.

Shantia Hudson reporting.

Researchers in the Midwest are studying the economic and ecological impacts of mature trees that have protected many Iowa farms for nearly half a century.

They're asking farmers how natural windbreaks, rows of trees or shrubs that slow wind and create beneficial soil conditions have contributed to the success of farms.

The study will focus on crops, soil health, biodiversity, and wildlife that windbreaks in the Midwest have supported for decades, including on the land owned by Nathan Anderson, a family farmer in northeast Iowa's Cherokee County.

Yeah, there's part of it that what's old is new again, and that's really interesting to see that cycle.

But I think part of it is we've seen an increased need for those trees and the services that The Savannah Institute received a five-year, $1.7 million grant from the U.S.

Department of Agriculture to conduct the study in parts of Iowa and Illinois.

Many Coloradans got new health insurance plans this year, and experts say the best time to get to know your benefits is before you need them.

Beyond basic coverage, many plans offer free preventative services, mental health support, and access to wellness apps, options that often go underused because you might not realize they're available.

Amy Jordan with UnitedHealthcare recommends becoming familiar with their health plans online website which can help you find providers, compare costs, and understand treatment options.

What are your benefits?

What is covered or what's not covered and what you can expect?

Preventative benefits are oftentimes covered for everyone and so really understanding what's included in that and what you have that coverage for.

Jordan adds it's important to know how your plan is structured in terms of your premium, O pays and deductibles, O She says those and other health care terms are defined at the website justplainclear.com.

Mark Richardson reporting.

This is Farah Siddiqui for Public News Service.

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